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As I scan the threads started in the last two games I see the following topics, "Osgood and Draper... turn the page", Lidstrom Final Year, with such replies as how slow he is, how he turns over the puck, how his offense is terrible. There's also "We need a goalie...Osgood is done, and my personal favorite and probably the most laughable, "Is Zetterberg on the decline?" Yes I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and yes last night was an abysmal outing by our winged warriors, Osgood let in four goals on 11 shots and yes he seems to be a step slower but two were not what I would call "bad" goals to give up. The Wings were giving up odd man rushes and we couldn't sustain any offensive pressure. It appears we have been hit with the injury bug again Abbey, Rafalski, Franzen, and now Cleary are all out. The part that I don't understand is the first half of this season, (yes two games ago) this team was playing so well that everyone thought the cup was on its way back. I know a lot can happen in half a season, (two more games) but it seems to me that the fall from grace was fast and hard. These are the same Detroit Red Wings that have the longest playoff streak in pro-sports history, these are the Red Wings whose idea of a terrible season is a first round exit, they have the same coach that was "the best in the NHL" a week ago, they have the same 40yr old graying leader that the city and press alike were begging to return. We have the same two forwards ESPN and Sporting News rated in the top 15 league wide. As for our goaltending, we have an aging backup who was praised for his first start this year, hell the idea of a 50/50 split was even being tossed around, and a rookie starter whom was a Calder runner up last year and has already posted a convincing shutout this season. Come on people the Lions would kill for this measuring stick. Now this is not to say that there aren't things to criticize about the team thus far, but the Red Wings have proven season in and season out that they know how to win, they always find a way to generate some kind of success...I understand why the press prints these headlines, it's polarizing and sells newspapers, I just don't get it from the fans. This team deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Are you ******* kidding me, guy?

Don't be such an are hole Doc! esteef

First off, coming up with lame insulting nicknames for athletes, politicians, etc. is REALLY stupid and annoying. Second, it's been four freaking games. Players take time to gel. And (Gasp!) if they don't work on the third line we can always shuffle the lines.

The negativity in these boards sometimes makes me wanna leave n never come back... but then again it is the best Red Wings forum so I guess I'll deal with it lol

I hope you'll let me assume you didn't like the way he played in the pre-season either. I think he's looked exactly like backup in his games this season, he makes the stops he's supposed to and hasn't been letting in the ones that deflect or screens. The problem is that last nite... every chance the Stars had seemed to go in. It was about the bounces, not the goalie. It was a BAD GAME. Even rookies are allowed to have bad games, even Brodeur has had a bad game, even Roy allowed 7 goals in a game. Osgood will be the backup, he will play fine, and the Wings will win 7 of their next ten. I see more heart from Ozzie this year, he wants to play well but things aren't going right. He'll suck it up and so should you.

That's a good way to turn a 3-4 week healing time to a 3-4 month healing time.

That's strange. I could have sworn I typed in letsgowings.com and not letsgohabs.com.

Yeah, he was awful in '08 playoffs. Terrible.

Yes i know it's very early, but I've gotta say that Bertuzzi looks like he has more jump than he's had in a long time. He really hustles on the back check, looks like he relishes playing with Franz and Filp, likes his role very much. And the little fight in preseason for the hit on Franzen . While he is indeed a scoring threat, he is really a great passer with his vision and hands and this seems like such a perfect fit for him. He really looks like he's settled in with the Wings and is foucussed and will contribute even more this year. WHat do you think?

Kenny, get the guy signed up. At least we'll have a good 3rd/4th line guy who'll police the top guys and provide the Wings with an intimidating prescence on the ice. We have the skill and the flair and pace, but its that old school factor that is missing, never mind our PP is our enforcer tosh!! He aint enforcing much as of yet! Well i suppose 3 PP goals so far aint bad. Babs has stated he likes having a guy who'll look out for his team mates, but to get on the Wings roster hes gotta be able to play. Evgeny Artyukhin fits the bill in my book. Who goes or makes way for him or A/N enforcer thou? tough call but unless we do something then we'll keep seeing this being done to our top guys. What I cant work out is that Raffi goes down for 3-4 weeks and instead of bringing up a potential top 4 guy to replace him the Wings call up Janik who is a stay at home guy. Id thro young Smith in and see how he does, at least the kid has great wheels to go with his high end skill set. The even mins Babs was going on about hasnt lasted long, Lids logging over 27 mins last night and Janik under 10 mins, im probably just letting off steam here but i get so frustrated when we dont try the good rookies that weve got. Whose gunna replace Mule on sat? are Abs and Drapes near match fit yet? if it was going by pre-season then Mursak should be on the plane now but he wont be. well enough of my moaning, they'll probably go and stuff the Yotes on Sat after all this (hopefully).

Last game was Hudler's only good game so far. He looked pretty good last night. Really? Is wasn't Bertuzzi's pass? It wasn't that pass that made it 15 feet through a few defensemen and a goalie, it was the pass that made it though nothing and 5 feet away? It was a smart play, but it was hardly "the reason". I wouldn't even be saying that about Filppula.

Agreed. As much as I don't like him, give him some time..

Jiri will play well for the squad this year and next year he will play even better....very hard to make judgments on players 4 games into the season...unless your like this little guy -

Madonna isn't in his prime anymore. He's never been a shut down center, which is what 3rd line centers are predominantly used for. It's not something he'll likely feel comfortable doing. And anything you say about Hudler is overly biased and wildly unrealistic. He's nothing more than a skilled player that occasionaly plays well when he has the right linemates. He's too streaky and not consistent enough to be relied upon game to game.

Howard is the starter coming into the season. He has to hold on to the job you know.

hes been far from invisible. look somewhere other than a scoresheet for once

All the really successful sports teams have the most neurotic fans. Fans have the right to think what they want. They don't "owe" the team anything really. The team provides fans with entertainment, while fans provide teams and owners with actual revenue, which goes into player salaries. LGW is actually more fun with neurotic threads. Go to a Panthers or Thrashers board, and see how many people give a damn there. Not many, hence not as interesting a discussion board.

C'mon. He did a brilliant job using his face to break Sutton's hand.

You're funny, you know that? Thanks for providing me with entertainment this afternoon.

We're fine. After 4 games we're 2-1-1, that's another 100 point season. Good rant! I especially like your opening sentence, that made me laugh.

I was always hard on Lilja for his mistakes. I know he is loved around here. But the truth of the matter is, he gambled and he lost! Fortunately he found a home. And fortunately we got rid of Lebda, and have a pretty decent D now! Good luck to you Lils, just not against us!

Disgusting news, that is all.